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STAFF NEWS AND NOTES

NUTS & BOLTS


24 EDITION 24, ISSUE 34

** ALSO AVAILABLE ON INFINITE CAMPUS **

May 18, 2012

KUDOS - To Steve DeMarco, this years recipient of the PTA Peter M. McManus Staff Recognition Award. As is always the case, we had many nominations of people who contribute a great deal to this school in a variety of ways. Steve is typical of the commitment, dedication and effort put forth by so many of our staff members. As written in the nomination of Steve: for the past 25 years at Shaker Junior High School Coach Demarco quietly comes in every single day and does his job with complete dedication and care for his students. He expects very little in return, however, he does expect his students to give their best effort like he models everyday. Ways in which Steve has been contributing include: Mentored a student teacher from Russell Sage College this year. Served the district as Junior Varsity boys basketball coach for over 20 years. This year his team completed a 15-3 season. Is active in our Tapler fitness room, supervising and instructing students the principles of weight training and exercise. He runs this program every year starting in September up to the beginning of the Intramural basketball season. Coach DeMarco runs his basketball intramural program on an everyday basis. After Monday thru Thursday regular practices he conducts an instructional skills session every Friday whether 1, 2 or 20 students show up. Serves as the modified baseball coach in the spring, which requires a large amount of time and effort. Annually coordinates and organizes the Vandercar track meet which he does efficiently and in a manner that allows everyone, students and staff alike, to enjoy Track Meet Day! Congratulations, Steve, on this well deserved recognition! You certainly typify what a true educational professional brings to a school! - To our Select Musical Performing Groups which performed very well (as is expected!) at last Fridays Great East Festival. The groups, conductors and results are: Scherzo! Desiree Burke Gold Award Select Band Dan Chouiniere Gold Award Syncopella Mr. V. Gold Award Jazz Ensemble Omar Williams Gold Award Select Chorus Mr. V. Platinum Award Treble Makers Erin Slater Platinum Award In all 179 students participated in the groups and had a great day. Great job Desiree, Dan, Mr. V., Omar and Erin for the work that goes into preparing these select musical groups and for doing so well at this annual competition! - To Seth Harris, as written in a letter from Pete Crummey, Town of Colonie Town Justice Shaker 74: Thank you for allowing me to preside over the mock jury trial in the above matter as part of the Shaker Junior High School 6th Annual Law Day Program. Based on your efforts together with the support of the school and dedicated parents your students are living proof that the future of our legal system is exceedingly bright. Best wishes to you and to your students! We certainly second the commendation!

Fri., June 15 Fri., June 23

6th Grade Student Orientation 7:00pm Grade 8 Awards Program/Dance Regents Rating Day

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Mon. May 21 Iowa Retesting Remedial Readers Periods 1,2 7:30 pm BOE Meeting @ SHS Tues., May 22 1:00 pm Administrators/Supervisors Meeting Wed., May 23 Science 8 Performance Assessment Day 1 2:30 pm PST Thurs., May 24 Science 8 Performance Assessment Day 2 7:45 am Science Steering Committee Meeting Track Meet 1:30 pm Administrative Counsel 3:00 pm Student Council Field Trip to Oasis Fun Park Fri., May 24 Science 8 Performance Assessment Day 3 Track Meet Rain Date Mon., May 28 No School Memorial Day CHARACTER TRAIT ASSIGNMENT May 21 25 Social Studies Cooperative

NYS FIELD TESTING On Thursday, June 7, we will be administering the ELA field test to all seventh graders. At this time, we have no details about the time allotment needed to complete this field test. Stay tuned! SPIRIT WEEK Once again this year Student Council will be sponsoring Spirit Week held during the week of our track meet. Themes for the different days include: Monday, May 21 Mismatch Day Tuesday, May 22 Twin Day, Twin Day Wednesday, May 23 Hawaiian Day Thursday, May 24 Hall Color Day Friday, May 25 Sports Fan Day (Hall Color Day if it rains on Thurs.) (Sports Team Jersey or Hat) MIX IT UP DAY!! LETS MIX IT UP!!! When All lunch periods on May 24th- Track Meet Day (May 25th is a back-up day) Who All students and, hopefully, all staff! We also want to include the cafeteria staff! What is it? A national campaign launched by Teaching Tolerance a decade ago, Mix It Up at Lunch Day encourages students to identify, question and cross social boundaries. In our surveys, students have identified the cafeteria as the place where divisions are most clearly drawn. So on this day, we ask students to move out of their comfort zones and connect with someone new over lunch. Its a simple act with profound implications. Studies have shown that interactions across group lines can help reduce prejudice. When students interact with those who are different from them, biases and misperceptions can fall away. How will we run it at SJHS? * As each student walks into lunch, they will receive a lollipop. * They will then go to a table that is color coordinated with their candy. * There will be a student monitor at each table to help facilitate conversation, and there will be conversation starters as well.

ZONE #1 M. Demeter

PM BUS SUPERVISION ZONE #2 ZONE #3 ZONE #4 K. Dennis K. Dornan-Hewitt J. Edgar

CAF A. Shortle

* ALL staff members are invited to the cafeteria during their lunch to join in on the fun! We will need help passing out candy, bringing students to their assigned table, and would love it if teachers sat with the students too! **Guidance staff will be available for students who are uncomfortable** Why?? It will be a fun way to make our school more of a safe, accepting community! ADVISORY ENDING The last day for advisory this school year will be May 25. Thanks to everyone for your efforts over the course of the year and making advisory a truly worthwhile program for our 7th grade students. Please consider signing up to be an advisor next year! BUILDING COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Monday, May 7, 2012 Unable to attend: Omar Williams, Bob Bedell, Mike Moffre 1. Membership for 2012-2013 was discussed. Both Colleen Gassett and Mary Beth Nichols have completed 2 years on the Building Council and will be rotating off. Their efforts, commitment and time spent over the past two years have been very much appreciated. We will look for two new parent members, as we always do, at the June 7 orientation for incoming 7th grade parents.

People are reminded to be on duty on a daily basis to make sure that supervision is provided.
ALL STAFF MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE BUS SUPERVISION IS AN ASSIGNED DUTY AND IT IS IMPERATIVE FOR ALL STAFF MEMBERS TO BE WHERE ASSIGNED DUTY; IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ARRANGE FOR REPLACEMENT PERHAPS BY SWAPPING WITH A COLLEAGUE.

LONG-TERM CALENDAR OF EVENTS May 16 18 NWEA Language Arts Fri., May 18 Clay 8 Field Trip to Hyde Park Mon., May 21 Iowa Retest Reading Students Periods 1, 2 May 23-June 1 Science 8 Performance test Thurs., May 24 Track Meet Fri., May 25 Track Meet Rain Date Fri., June 1 Science 8 Performance Test NCTA Retirement Dinner Mon., June 4 Science 8 Written Assessment Thurs., June 7 ELA 7 Field Testing 6:30pm Studio Art Show Reception 7:00pm Parent Orientation Wed., June 13 7:00pm PTA/PAC

We ask annually for two 7th grade parents to serve on the Building Council for a 2 year period, thus having two new parents added every year to the Building Council. Dawn Savery is ending her 2 year rotation on the Building Council. Mike Mitchell will be the second administrative member beginning in the fall. All five teachers are remaining as members of the Building Council for the 2012-2013 school year. 2. 3. There is no new business or follow up to old business to discuss. Upcoming events at Shaker Junior High School included: a. Our last 2 concerts Tuesday and Thursday, May 8 and 10. Both begin at 7:00 pm. b. The district MAY Music and Art for Youth Month art reception at the NYSUT building on Route 7 on Wednesday, May 9. c. NWEA round 3 testing the week of May 14 18. With math given on May 14 and 15 and ELA the 16 18. d. The Science 8 performance test given to all 8th grade students May 23 thru June 1. e. Our annual track meet scheduled for Thursday, May 24 with a rain date of Friday, May 25. f. Science 8 written test on Monday, June 4. g. Parent orientation Thursday, June 7 at 7:00 pm. h. 8th grade awards program and dance Friday, June 15. As there is no new business or continuing old business before the Council it was agreed upon that there would be no additional Building Council meetings during the school year. Everyone was thanked for their service to the Council during the 2011-2012 school year as good work was accomplished.

SIX YEAR 3rd QUARTER DATA


Gr. 7 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2008-2009 2007-2008 2006-2007 Gr. 8 2011-2012 2010-2011 2009-2010 2008-2009 2007-2008 2006-2007 High Honor #/% 39/9.6% 90/20.2% 101/22.3% 88/18.5% 106/21.9% 87/19.3% Honor #/% 126/31.1% 128/28.8% 106/23.4% 124/26.1% 120/24.8% 115/25.5% Merit #/% 61/15.1% 49/11.0% 55/12.1% 52/10.9% 62/12.8% 67/14.9% Total #/% 226/55.8% 267/60.1% 262/57.8% 264/55.6% 288/59.6% 269/59.6%

High Honor #/% 47/10.3% 86/19.0% 86/18.2% 86/17.3% 80/17.5% 67/15.8%

Honor #/% 136/29.9% 129/28.5% 112/23.4% 122/24.7% 129/28.2% 75/17.7%

Merit #/% 79/17.4% 63/13.9% 83/17.5% 87/17.5% 67/14.7% 54/12.7%

Total #/% 262/57.6% 278/61.4% 281/59.4% 295/59.5% 276/60.4% 196/46.2%

4.

TWO-YEAR 3rd QUARTER COHORT COMPARISON


Gr. 7 2010-2011 Gr. 8 2011-2012 High Honor #/% 90/20.2% High Honor #/% 47/10.3% Honor #/% 128/28.8% Honor #/% 136/29.9% Merit #/% 49/11.0% Merit #/% 79/17.4% Total #/% 267/60.1% Total #/% 262/57.6%

4 THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT HAVE KNOWN ABOUT YOUR CELL PHONE

For all the folks with cell phones. (This should be printed and kept in your car, purse, and wallet. Good information to have with you.) FIRST (Emergency) The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out. SECOND (Hidden Battery Power) Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell phone next time. THIRD (How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?) To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. If your phone is stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones. FOURTH (Free Directory Service for Cells) Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE411 or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now. This is sponsored by McDonald's. This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends. HIGH HONOR, HONOR, MERIT ROLLS DATA Following are the comparative data for the third quarter of the 2011-2012 school year and the previous five years as well.
HIGH HONOR, HONOR, MERIT ROLLS 1st QUARTER DATA
High Honor Gr. 7 Gr. 8 Honor Gr. 7 Gr. 8 Merit Gr. 7 Gr. 8 Calhoun 5 19 Calhoun 28 40 Calhoun 12 13 Clay 8 17 Clay 32 34 Clay 21 17 Houston 12 6 Houston 32 28 Houston 9 27 Norris 14 5 Norris 34 34 Norris 19 22 Total #/% 39/9.6% 47/ 10.3% Total #/% 126/31.1% 136/29.9% Total #/% 61/ 15.1% 79/17.4% Grade 8: 455

MARSHALL MEMO 435 by Kim Marshall Shaping Childrens Behavior with Well-Chosen Words Our words and tone of voice have a profound effect on children, say Chip Wood and Babs Freeman-Loftis in this Responsive Classroom Newsletter. Making good choices not only benefits troublesome students but also helps other students within earshot. Some specific suggestions: Conveying high expectations Good morning, Shayna! Im so glad youre here today. Thank you for remembering to walk safely in the hall. versus Shayna, dont even think about running to your classroom this morning. Im watching you! Naming specific behaviors An art teacher might say Beautiful work! or Your hopes and dreams display shows that you put careful thought into what you want to learn in art this year; your illustrations show so much detail. Using a warm but professional tone Lamar, I noticed that you invited Eric into your game when you saw him standing alone. You really remembered our rule about including everyone. Wood and Freeman-Loftis suggest avoiding baby talk like Were being so good today or sentimental language like Honey, youre just the best little includer. Emphasizing description over personal approval You were friendly and safe on the bus today, and the ride was more pleasant for everyone versus I like the way you were safe and friendly today. Finding positives to name in all students Clayton, your teacher says youve had a great morning. You stayed focused during writing time and used some strategies to help you finish all your other work. Drawing attention to progress Billy, you caught yourself and stopped talking when Jackson was sharing. Youre getting better at holding onto your ideas until its your turn to talk. Being direct and avoiding sarcasm Samantha, youre in fourth grade. Our first graders follow rules better than you. Why am I not surprised by your behavior? versus Samantha, stop. Walk to your classroom. Ill watch you from here. Want Positive Behavior? Use Positive Language by Chip Wood and Babs Freeman-Loftis in Responsive Classroom Newsletter, Summer 2012 (adapted from the authors book, Responsible School Behavior: Essentials for Elementary School Leaders)

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK For much of my first year, the sight of administrators filled me with dread. The idea that they could help you become a better teacher was not even a passing thought; they were menaces to avoid. Dan Brown as quoted in Marshall Memo 436

Enrollment: 3rd Quarter 2011-2012

Grade 7: 405

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